Home > Football > Baines and Pedersen can bolster Spurs bid to gate-crash the Top Four
by Luke Durkin on 24 May 2007
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Tottenham manager Martin Jol has just completed a successful season at White Hart Lane and can look forward to the future with confidence. Spurs held on to fifth spot in the Premiership for the second successive season and went out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of the eventual winners, Sevilla.
Next season, Jol will look to bolster his playing squad in specific areas in which we have been lacking for some time. There is no denying that Spurs are one of the up-and-coming teams in the Premiership, close on the heels of the supposed Big Four - Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
This season we squandered many opportunities as a result of a poor overall defence, or maybe the word is inconsistent. Sometimes we play as though we could beat anybody, and others we throw a much-needed game down the drain. The left-back void is possibly our main concern for next season if we are to have any chance of gate-crashing the Top Four party. Likely suitors to this position are possibly either Wigan's Leighton Baines or Southampton's wonder-kid Gareth Bale. Either would provide us with some flare and creativity in the defence areas and provide our midfielders with attacking options.
Spurs have conceded 54 goals, the highest among the top 10 in the Premiership. If we are to play consistent, winning football every week then this number must be lowered. Spurs do have some bright young defenders in Michael Dawson and Ledley King. Without these two, the number of goals conceded would have been much higher. With experience, preferably in Europe, I reckon that there is a lot more to come from these two young English talents.
There is also news this week of a yet un-named American organisation or individual planning a £250 million takeover of the club. The interest of this individual or company has been raised with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the board of executives. I'm not too sure about this move myself, yet it will probably aid Spurs in their fight to achieve regular Champions League football. If this takeover does go ahead it may result in a switch of venue or further ground development at the Lane. All may be revealed in coming weeks.
According to the Bulgarian media, Dimitar Berbatov has reportedly signed a new contract with Spurs that will keep him at the club until 2013. There has also been many rumours linking Berbatov with many top flight European clubs, one of which is Manchester United. Berbatov has had a successful first season in Premiership football after last summer's bargain move from German outfit Bayer Leverkusen and there is little doubt that he is a firm favourite with Spurs fans.
Spurs are also reportedly ready to make a bid for Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pederson, who has impressed recently and drawn attention apparently from Spurs. Jol may be ready to launch another bid for the left sided midfielder despite being previously rejected by Blackburn.
What can Spurs do to step up the pressure on the Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal axis? Post your comments below or submit an article to Sportingo.
Comments (11)
by Ivor Biggen on May 22, 2007
Neither Baines nor Pedersen are the players push Spurs into top 4. They are nothing more than mediocre players look good in a team of donkeys specialy in case of Blackburn. To break into the top 4 Heinze,Robben or similar quality is needed. Baines or Pedersen simply not good enough.
by DannyMackay on May 22, 2007
Spurs need stability. A new owner could eailly undo a lot of good recent work. And lots of new players will take time to gel and thus give spurs another slow start to the season. Spurs fell nine points behind arsenal (4th) in the opening weeks of the season - and ended up just 8 points behind despite playing more games towards the end of the year than arsenal because of cup games. so while spurs need a left winger and better cover in defence, the main aim should be to keep most of the team unchanged.
by Raja on May 22, 2007
Spurs need Anelka to play up front with Berbatov next season, Alex, robhen, Ribery and a few more players to challange the top four
by ginola on May 22, 2007
pedersen and baines are a perfect pairing for spurs! they are easily good enough why would you paick heinze over baines a young english talent that has batteled for wigan and two seasons running been their outstanding player! henize is nothing but a bench warmer for united! and as for robben he would never leave chelsea hes not intrested inplaying he is a typical money grabber he has the potential to be world class but he would rather come on after chelsea have already won a game and half heartedly play the last 20 mins! pedersen scores goals for fun at blackburn and is also a set piece taker in which we are in desperate need of! im all for baines and pedersen
by rayid on May 22, 2007
I have been a spurs follower for 50 years. I have seen it all - the arrogance, confidence, decadence and shame. Spurs are at best a top half of the competition team. They have no ambition (despite what you read) and are more than happy to finish 5th and be voted the "team most likely to get into the top 4". I say this because their record in squandering untold millions year after year sees no end. There is no recognition, within the club, that in order to get into the Champions League, you dont need to spend 30 million quid on 4 players. You need to spend it on 1!! Granted, this year we fluked Berbatov. But just when did we fluke the one before that? It is my belief that we absolutely need a LB a LM and a midfield general. But we cant get them all this year. We don't need the Bents, Gamsts, Reos et al that are being put forward on every website as being Spurs targets. We need to recruit the very best left sided defender on the market. If that is 20 mill so be it. And we need
you dont need your gamsts??? the bloke scored 8 goals this season thats 5 more then the wonderful lennon!!!! the year before he banged in 10...... the almighty 20 milion pound robben scored only 2 this season we dont need to spend all that on one signing!! benni mcarthy put away24 goals this season and cost 2.5 mill shevshenko 50 flaming million and could just about manage 14 goals!!
by Love Juice on May 22, 2007
When will people realise that we will not sign players like Robben, even though I wouldn't want that punk at Tottenham anyway, until we are qualifying for the Champions League and winning trophies! Pedersen is certainly better than what we have down the left at the moment. With his crossing ability thats more goals! With the balance he would give us, that will make us more solid, less goals conceded!Bridge and Pedersen down the left will get us in the top 4!Both we can sign if we want them enough!
finally someone speaks some sense
by Mentor on May 22, 2007
What I feel we need: LB, CB, CM, ML, FC LB: Baines or Heinze. baines more exiting - but Heinze more proven. CB: Hard one. Someone who can compete with Dawson/King. Should have experience. Read about Boularouz. He calls Martin Jol "Dad"... MC: Hmmm... Reo-Cooker? Might have the agression we need? ML: M. Gamst Pedersen. Look at his stats... We need a provider of crosses and goals from the side. FC: Darren Bent.
by Essexian76 on May 23, 2007
Firstly, why would Robben the diving cheatinggit, want to join Spurs at half his salary?, also what other players are going to join us if one of the big four are at the head of queue?, Sidwell joined Chelsea for a seat on the bench as opposed to regular games for a smaller club, these guys are in it for the bucks, hence the word professional. We need to develop young talent and bring in potential its the only way, and with that comes the likelyhood of a player not making the grade or taking 2-3 years to grace the first team. mark my words Huddlestone will make it and make it big. Jenas I think will push forward next year as will Zokora. We gave the rest three months start last year before the team took shape ,and with a couple of decent defenders and a leftie (Barry) type player we're almost there.
by RaJA on May 24, 2007
Spurs need world class players not players like baines, bale and pedersen
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